Alice and the Looking Glass (Clockwork Wonderland Book 1)

In Which Alice Meets Maria

Ten minutes later, peace returned to Alice's mind. With the exception of the first day's utter black out, whatever they used in the food only took the edge off, meaning she could get through this experience without the black terror hounding her every step.

"Do you feel better now, Miss Alice?"

Chester sounded sincere, which made her suspicious. But his open, honest face set Alice at ease despite her misgivings.

"Yes, Chester. Thanks." Before he could stand, she reached out and snagged his sleeve. "Chester...I know they put things in the food. I know that and I still take it. I-" She didn't know what else to say. Did she want him to tell her she was a coward or that she was brave? Or did she want him to charge back into the house, demanding to know why they were feeding her poison?

"Alice, you, uh..." he trailed off. After prying her claw-like hand off his arm and pulling her to her feet, he forced a grin. "Let's go across the street. Jack's favorite cafe is there. You'll love Maria, I just know it."

"Chester, please."

The same haunted look Jack had given her when they first met passed behind her guide's gold eyes. He pushed a floppy lock of hair out of his face and puffed out a breath that smelled like heavy cream and herbs.

"There are lots of reasons people do things. I don't pretend to understand them. Alice, just know that we aren't trying to hurt you." More sincerity Alice didn't understand. "Can we go meet Maria now?" he begged.

Crestfallen, but not surprised, Alice nodded and they walked into the wide street, right in front of a moving object.

"Jesus, Chester what are you doing?" she screamed as the car screeched to a stop. The driver shook his fist and shouted muffled profanities but in the end waited for Chester to amble out of the way.

"Crossing the street?" He replied, as if she'd just asked if rain was wet.

"You people don't have crosswalks? Street corners? Pedestrian overpasses?"

"Ah, I see." A contemplative pause. "Yes, we have those, but they are too slow."

Some things must transcend space and time. "Ugh. Whatever. Look, let's just go before we cause an accident," she snapped, taking the lead before he stopped in the street to ponder the ethics of jaywalking.

"Here, this is it," Chester gestured to a nearby corner cafe with a wooden sign that read "Heartfelt Confection and Coffee" painted in red letters. Spotless ceiling-high windows made up the entire front of the shop. Instead of doors, some of the windows were rolled up and tied by red ribbons to the top of their frames. The glass didn't look the least bit flexible and as they passed, she reached out a hand and felt not plastic, but thick glass under her fingertips. The mysterious material gave her chills.

Inside gold, red, and black decor all vied for her attention. A large bar in the back mirrored the corner shape of the building, with a polished brass top and black panels serving as kick guards.

"I hope you like it!" A woman in a white summer dress with tiny read dots in swirling clumps swept up to them. Her brown, claret-tinted braid swayed as she walked and she looked to match Alice in age.

"Maria!" Chester smiled and embraced her with one arm, the other still holding Alice's limp hand.

Maria patted Chester on the shoulder, dismissing him, and turned to focus on his guest. "You must be Alice."

"Uh, yea. Alice Linden. Pleased to meet you." She pulled away from Chester and reached out. Maria clasped her palm with two soft hands.

"I am Maria Cour and I've been waiting to meet you for days. Jack promised he'd bring you by as soon as you could leave the house."